- Book a Safari Today
- +256 788994875
- book@saritgorillasafaris.com
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Uganda’s Wildlife Ranch
Adventures at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Imagine a place where you can come face to face with one of the most majestic and endangered creatures on Earth – the rhinoceros. It is a place where the air is filled with the sounds of nature, and every corner holds the promise of a unique wildlife encounter.
The heart-pounding experience of tracking rhinos on foot is something that will awaken your nerves and love for nature. Walking through the savannah, silently approaching a massive rhino, and observing its grace is a privilege few get to enjoy.
Uganda’s only rhinos are free to roam the savannahs, acacia woodlands, and cool, muddy swamps of Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. They spend their days grazing on thick shrubbery or resting under shades of tall trees. To see Ziwa rhinos, an experienced ranger will lead you on a trail into the wild ranch, educating you about their habits and behaviors. When you find them, the ranger will position you at a safe distance of six to seven meters away, with plenty of Instagram photography opportunities.
However, depending on where the rhinos are located in the park, you may need to drive a certain distance and trek on foot to reach them. Although you can do a rhino trek in Ziwa at any time, the best time to go is between 8 am and 10 am or 4 pm and 6 pm any time of the year. It is advisable to wear comfortable closed shoes and long trousers and bring plenty of water to keep you hydrated.
Rhino Tracking Costs
Rhino Tracking permit costs $50 per adult and $30 per child for foreigners, $45 per adult and $20 per child for foreign residents, and UGX 40,000 per adult and UGX 10,000 per child for East African Citizens. The permit includes park entrance fees and an English-speaking guide.
Overall, Ziwa Rhino Reserve offers an unforgettable experience year-round, with each season providing its own unique set of attractions and challenges.
Additional Resources:
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is located in Nakasongola, just a three-hour drive northwest of Uganda’s capital, Kampala. If you’re coming from Masindi, the nearest town south of the Murchison, it’s just a 45-minute drive away. This makes it an excellent stopover for travelers heading to or from a wildlife safari in Murchison Falls National Park.
Additionally, it’s a very popular same-day safari trip from Kampala, where you can easily drive to the sanctuary, track the rhinos, and return to the city on the same day.
To get to Ziwa, you can hire a car from car-hire companies like Road Trip or organize your safari with a tour operator like Sarit Gorilla Safaris. They can even help plan the rest of your Uganda safari in Murchison and beyond.
The road from Kampala is in great condition all the way to Masindi, so there’s no need for 4x4s or large trucks to visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The road trip is picturesque, with dreamy landscapes undulating for a perfect drive through Uganda’s countryside.
Animals in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch primarily serves as a secure sanctuary for rhinoceroses. However, the ranch’s fenced expanse of 27 square miles encompasses woodlands, swamps, and savannahs, which attracts a diverse range of fascinating wildlife.
The mammalian species that can be spotted at Ziwa include:
the rhinoceros, the elusive leopard, giant pangolin, oribi, waterbucks, bushbuck, Ugandan kob, bohor reedbuck, common duiker, warthog, vervet monkey, bushpig, aardvark, and scrub hare.
To watch these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, one can take a game drive, canoe ride, or nature walk on the ranch.
Nature Walks
If you love spending time in nature, then you should definitely consider going on one of the guided nature walks offered at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This 27-square-mile ranch boasts an impressive array of natural habitats, including woodland, swamps, and savannah, where you can immerse yourself in the wonders of the wilderness. The sanctuary is home to over 40 mammal and reptilian species, including antelopes, monkeys, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, and various bird species.
In addition to the daytime activities, the sanctuary also offers night nature walks between 8 pm and 11 pm, which is the best time to observe the nocturnal animals that call this place home.
Nature walks can take anywhere from one to three hours. They can be moderately physically demanding, so wear comfortable walking shoes, long pants, and bring insect repellent, a torch, and drinking water to stay hydrated. You’ll breathe in the fresh, pristine air and marvel at the incredible scenery while experiencing the unique and unforgettable Ugandan wilderness.
Rhino Tracking
The heart-pounding experience of tracking rhinos on foot is something that will awaken your nerves and love for nature. Walking through the savannah, silently approaching a massive rhino, and observing its grace is a privilege few get to enjoy.
Uganda’s only rhinos are free to roam the savannahs, acacia woodlands, and cool, muddy swamps of Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. They spend their days grazing on thick shrubbery or resting under shades of tall trees. To see Ziwa rhinos, an experienced ranger will lead you on a trail into the wild ranch, educating you about their habits and behaviors. When you find them, the ranger will position you at a safe distance of six to seven meters away, with plenty of Instagram photography opportunities.
However, depending on where the rhinos are located in the park, you may need to drive a certain distance and trek on foot to reach them. Although you can do a rhino trek in Ziwa at any time, the best time to go is between 8 am and 10 am or 4 pm and 6 pm any time of the year. It is advisable to wear comfortable closed shoes and long trousers and bring plenty of water to keep you hydrated.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Protecting Uganda’s Endangered Rhinos
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a private Wildlife Ranch in northwestern Uganda established in 2005 to reintroduce Southern White Rhinos in the wild. Imagine a place where you can come face to face with one of the most majestic and endangered creatures on Earth – the rhinoceros. It is a place where the air is filled with the sounds of nature, and every corner holds the promise of a unique wildlife encounter with one of Africa’s iconic animals. Ziwa Wildlife Ranch is one of the world’s most successful conservation stories.
Located in northeastern Uganda, Nakasongola District, just outside Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a haven for conserving the white rhino, one of Africa’s most endangered species. Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is integral to global efforts to protect these magnificent animals. It offers visitors rhino trekking on foot, taking nature hikes and night walks, and tracking the elusive shoebill and other bird species.
A Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park, along with an extension to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, offers visitors the opportunity to see all of the “Big Five” African safari animals.
A game drive and boat safari in Murchison Falls will bring you up close to the big four – lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. Then, you can catch sight of the rhinoceroses at Ziwa.
Watch a Video of Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Play Video